Child Care Workers

If you enjoy working with children, why not make a career out of it? Working with children enables people to make a difference while enjoying flexible work options.

Approximately 35 percent of child care workers are self-employed and work from home. Others can work in child care centers, and they can also work in the children’s home as well. Child care workers range from babysitters to preschool teachers.

In addition to supervising activities for children to promote learning and socialization, child care workers work to make sure children stay physically healthy, too. They are responsible for serving nutritious meals and snacks, as well as teaching good eating habits and personal hygiene. They also help to ensure that children have proper rest periods. Also, child care workers can identify children who may not feel well and, in some cases, may help parents locate programs that will provide basic health services. They can also introduce new developmental services to special needs children.

One of the perks of entering the child care field is that educational requirements are limited. Most people only need a high school diploma, which is adequate for most jobs. That’s not to say the job isn’t difficult, however. Child care can be physically and emotionally exhausting, as workers constantly stand, walk, bend, stoop, and lift to attend to each child’s interests and problems. Online childcare training can be accessed from these online colleges.

License may be required if you enter this field. Many states require child care centers, including those in private homes, to be licensed if they care for more than a few children at a time. In order to obtain their license, child care centers may require child care workers to pass a background check and get immunizations. Furthermore, child care workers may need to be trained in first aid and CPR and receive continuous training on health and safety. A graduate degree in early childhood education disciplines can be a great career decision as well. You can also review these online degrees and training courses.

The work hours of child care workers can vary. Child care centers usually are open year-round, with long hours to accommodate busy working parents.

Public and private preschool programs typically operate during the typical nine- or 10-month school year, employing both full-time and part-time workers. Family child care providers have flexible hours and daily routines, but they may work long or unusual hours to fit parents’ work schedules. Live-in nannies usually work longer hours than do those who have their own homes. However, although nannies may work evenings or weekends, they usually get other time off.

Benefits can vary with each job—nannies may make great money but have to pay for their health benefits themselves if they operate on their own. Child care centers are more likely to give employment health benefits, as they are generally larger companies.